POWER STATEMENTS.

We know our worth…so WE decide to stand for what WE DESERVE!

After last week’s “Is that what YOU think YOU deserve?” Post… I decided to follow-up with some POWER STATEMENTS …Use them to help push YOU forward, add to your mirror check conversation, or share them to encourage someone!

Thinking and speaking the opposite of what YOU DO DESERVE will only push YOU, Me, We backwards...

How far could we go if we questioned every "opportunity" presented to us with… ‘Is that what I deserve?’ and ‘Is this part of my purpose?’ Then, countered it with POWER STATEMENTS affirming WE ARE WORTHY?

Ummm…so FAR IT’S DEEP!

“Girl YOU Crazy”!!! Well…

Like a power suit makes a statement…

Allow YOUR Confidence and Strength to Declare these

POWER STATEMENTS and your definition to shape the meaning:

1. My dream belongs to me.

2. I allow my imagination to give me vision beyond reality.

3. Greatness has an unlimited capacity; my ability to say yes gives me access.

4. Each step has a story worth telling because our journey is significant.

5. Your purpose knows more about your future than you do. So, when you submit to it...you just might find that what you think you deserve now doesn’t compare to what you deserve later. Trust the process (the journey of your purpose) to which you submit and allow your actions to relate to its bigger picture!

Do you have any POWER STATEMENTS? Share them below!

Defeating Crazy with Courageous,

Lauren Alicia, GYCGirl…YOU Know the Rest!

P.s. Be sure to think on this week's Question for Thought! 

Is that what YOU think YOU deserve?

“The one with the vision has the capacity to finish. Don’t allow your vision to simply be an image.”-Your Dreams dropping Truth!

Let’s get right into it!

I want YOU to THINK with me…about:

+ Opportunities you have taken…

+ Opportunities you left on table...

  ++ By mistake/accident/lack of knowledge…

  ++ On purpose because it wasn’t for you…

  ++ On purpose because you didn’t THINK it was for YOU (at that time or ever), etc…

+ Dreams YOU have pursued…

+ Dreams YOU have achieved…

+ Dreams YOU ARE continuously pursuing RIGHT NOW…

+ Dreams YOU STOPPED pursuing…

  ++ WHY???

+ Dreams YOU Want to pursue…

  ++ The actions you’re taking to begin the pursuit…

  ++ The REAL reason YOU want to pursue this dream and Why… Now?

And

+ The life YOU want to live…

Now that you are all open with your thoughts…

Is that what YOU think YOU deserve?

When this question came to me, I knew immediately it wasn’t a Question for Thought to elaborate on but MOST DEFINITELY a post.

As I thought about this question in relation to GYC and living out OUR OWN Dreams…I thought about the reasons we don’t.

And one thing that really helped to put this in perspective and assist in dropping the TRUTH is…

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”-Perks of Being a Wallflower

This quote allows us to approach many things about WHO we are but to be more specific to this topic…

It made me think about the growth in my different approaches… in pursuit of my dreams and things I let go of for many reasons (not being qualified was definitely part of that) and now I have picked them back up with so much more…and I thought about the dreams/goals I’ve watched people walk away from or talk themselves out of because of qualifications…or anything else questioning if YOU, ME, WE deserve to be here (wherever that is for YOU)…

Then…I realized this thought about the people I watched and myself…

YOU, ME, WE accept/receive/believe we can achieve the dreams we think we deserve and/or are capable of achieving.

Sometimes we decide “what” we are able to achieve Tomorrow… based on who we are Today without always giving credit or realizing the bigger picture.

…

Now let me add a little more…

Yes… our actions today help to build our tomorrow…I’m not saying that it doesn’t but here is the other part…

If WE continuously make decisions solely on WHO we are today, right now in this moment (not thinking about WHO we are becoming)…we are not building for tomorrow but simply re-creating today…over and over again…stuck in the same position.

Is that what YOU think YOU deserve?

Although, we are designed with GREAT WORTH AND GREATNESS TO FULFILL… Knowing that you are worthy and standing in your worth…letting your reality see and allow room for the bigger picture…is an attitude of knowing YOU ARE DESERVING.

How many times have we walked away from something because of what we THINK versus what we KNOW?

And SINCE YOU, ME, WE ARE going after our dreams…we need to stop allowing what WE THINK to interfere with WHAT our Greatness, Worth and Purpose KNOWS WE ARE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING …if we would just take a moment to see the bigger picture.

YOU DECIDE if YOU’RE going to be Crazy by not realizing YOU ARE Deserving and Worthy, or LIVE COURAGEOUSLY!

Here is a blank list…YOU distinguish the difference.

Defeating Crazy with Courageous,

Lauren Alicia, Miss GYC

How Strength was Taught.

“I learned to fight in a fight, so excuse me when I don’t give up.”-Life Confession of How I Got Here

“It’s funny, we’re told to be strong, independent women but when we fell as little girls everyone ran to our rescue while heads turned away when a little boy fell.”-I’m not upset…I’m just explaining the strength of my existence…

“Independence has its perks and its harshness but nevertheless…find its strength.”-Independence’s Reality

“Ut-Oh…where is this topic going to go????”

I know that’s what you’re thinking…but I also know…YOU want to go with me!!!

“Girl YOU Crazy”

This topic roamed my thoughts and words during GYC’s 1st interview on THE IDECLAIR SHOW back in February! If you missed it…click here!

However…these thoughts were

“Birthed” while writing “Naysayers Say What!?”, which was also during the “Don’t Take the Elevator” Series, as I began to think on/acknowledge/realize/recognize…and understand the fight of who I am, and where I am today...on paper for other people to see.

However,

As I let these thoughts marinate…I investigated a little deeper…to go a little wider than myself!

And I realized when it all began (well…for some of us)…

…the defining moment when us girls would have to learn how to fight…in a fight.

Take strength from a place within and apply it to the surface!

So, here is the GYC/Lauren Alicia Quick Version:

Little GYCGirl… falls/trips/has some type of accident and everyone runs over to tend to her needs…maybe even making it out to be bigger than what it seems…

Then time goes past…GYCGirl… is a little older, pays attention a little more and notices a little boy fall and he begins to cry, his mother pauses, looks at him, QUICKLY looks away and says…

“He’s a boy…he will be alright” and she carries on.

He gets up, and everything is alright!

Right? Well, not for me!

When I distinguished the difference, it was time for me to realize and understand that the only fighting I was going to do in and for my life… was the fight that people felt/decided I SHOULD be fighting for and the rest…well… I’m on my own!

And I had to be okay with that…the “I’m on my own” part of course!

Why was he going to be okay and I needed all that attention???

Well, lets look more at the difference...

It became clear that pain is pain until you decide how to cope with it or it’s decided for you through attention… and I was quickly being taught through attention and unsure if that was the lesson to learn.

But…

As I grew older and learned of my dreams that were NOT given to me by People, I saw more pain and misunderstood rejection because it wasn’t the same as the little girl who fell and everyone ran to her rescue…now the strength within is beginning to show me my options and let me know it’s all my decision…strength was simply there to defend it!

So…

Here are my options:

+ Every time you fall will you look/expect someone to rescue you like you have no hope?

Or

+ Will you decide to get back up because everything is and will be alright…BECAUSE YOU ARE a fighter that is also designed to live as a winner (Because YOU Are a winner as well)…and laying on the ground (mentally) waiting for someone to help you…is to act as though you have no hope and strength is not in you to get the job done?

Now that YOU have your options…what are you going to do Miss GYCGirl???

And in realizing the strength within…there was MY OWN independence!

Independence is what’s left when you realize you can’t be dependent on other people to make your dreams happen or walk through open doors for you…the dream can be there but the action to decide to go and live it…is done by you!

Excerpt from Naysayers Say What?!:

Every time someone disagreed about who I wanted to be “when I grow up”, I proved to myself that they were wrong, which built a foundation and strengthened my passion to go for My OWN dreams if and when EVERY, everybody says, “Girl YOU Crazy, it will never happen, and she thinks she is a  ______________....hmph.”

I had to decide that if I wanted these dreams of mine…it was going to take a fight,

Since Naysayers use fighting words!

GYC Personal Thought Rant…before I close…

Learning to fight in a fight for my dreams, the real, unfiltered, true ME was and still is the best way for me to have gained strength, and knowledge of who I am as the definition for me to live. I don’t take anything for my journey and where it will lead but in order for me to keep pressing, I have to know my foundation and reflect on it in moments of weakness, moments of strength, moments of confusion and uncertainness to know that I was built to fight, and made to win. I think the reason some of us miss this is…we don’t realize/recognize/acknowledge that information as part of our definition, neglecting to give it any of our actions.

Almost done…

Last Thoughts:

When strength is taught in a fight and WE come out the WINNER over and over again…our strength gets stronger and stronger, we learn the perks and pluses of being independent…getting/receiving what we want and need, only standing for what we deserve and pushing through its harshness…you know the haters/naysayers/those that need to understand how to allow their strength to assist them in getting/receiving what is for them...taking their focus and negative words off of us!!

Can I get a witness??? HELLO!

And I will leave you with these GYC Quotes:

“Pay attention to your fight because there is where your strength will grow stronger.”-GYC

“We are always one decision away from learning more about who we are and where we are destined to go. Know how strength was taught to you.”-GYC

“Independence has its perks and its harshness but mix it with humility and understanding and you will decide to only see the perks!”-GYC

Defeating Crazy with Courageous,

Lauren Alicia, GYCGirl…

What Is Beauty? Campaign Wrap-Up: We are a Resource!

“Beauty is a perspective that is reflected in everything we see.”-Honest Perspective

“The way we decide to see the world is the same way we will receive the world.”-Truth

“Sometimes beauty is blurred and marred by our perspective but what is beautiful to me is no matter how damaged its definition becomes, we will always continue to search for its truth and realness.”-GYC Thoughts on Beauty

May 1, 2013 Endless Dreams Foundation, Inc and GYC Girl YOU Crazy launched the What Is Beauty? Campaign (online), and it will officially be over this Thursday, August 1, 2013.

I hope you all have enjoyed participating and following the Campaign!!!!

Personally, the Campaign has been an amazing journey of learning and understanding beauty deeper… through the eyes of other’s and myself. It became an experience of recognizing the beauty in overcoming and realizing your own definition of beauty we live!

Yep, ALL OF THAT!!

Honestly…

How often are YOU asked to define a word that is used multiples times a day for various reasons that sometimes can only make sense to the person using it?????

So when asked in public…

"What is YOUR Definition of Beauty?????"

What would be your unfiltered, uncensored response and are you considering those listening to what you have to say???

…

Now go ahead, fill-in-the-blank:

Beauty is…

GYC Side Note: The thing about definitions… if you ever study and/or conduct consumer research is…whatever definition people give is the definition people believe, and their response is packed with powerful information about themselves that is to be considered their truth even if you know the information to be a lie. Everyday we tell something about ourselves in the definition we speak and live…what would YOU have your definition to say about you? …Something to think on!

In helping to shape and structure the Campaign with EDF, I thought of this quote that could bring out this power message of beauty and our understanding/perspective/feelings/thoughts…

'"I am the definition of beauty' appreciate mine (my definition) as I appreciate yours."

This quote identifies/recognizes/acknowledges the fact that we all are beautiful no matter how we define the word beauty, and how everyone’s definition shall be respected and appreciated.

The bigger picture of its message is...it’s NOT what we write down but what we live…it Is Our Truth!

Throughout the Campaign, we gathered multiple quotes and quotes with images relating to beauty directly, indirectly or simply poetic to exploit and strengthen various thoughts of beauty and where we find its presence.

But before I fully dive into the rest of this…it is important to know that the Campaign was set-up to promote high self-esteem, confidence and strength, which all ties into the word BEAUTY!

When I was first approached about joining, EDF’s founder discussed how she found statistics on women having low self-esteem, and wanted to use the word beauty to inspire and uplift.

So, as we promoted self-esteem, confidence and strength…the purpose of the mission/"What Is Beauty? Campaign" was to fight statistics with our reality.

Beauty relates to self-esteem, confidence and strength because it’s part of their contents…knowing, owning and walking in your self-worth!

I learned through this, the extent of which self-esteem relates to beauty and how confidence creates strength to see beauty in the most difficult times.

 Along with Twitter and Facebook, we used Tumblr and Pinterest to reach the community willing to discuss and share their thoughts on beauty!

Here is a snap-shot of The Campaign Tumblr:

The top 2 posts on The Campaign Tumblr were…

This found quote currently has 1,867 notes!

And a quote from yours truly…

 "I am worthy, deserving and enough… And NO ONE has the right to tell me anything different."-Lauren Alicia

My quote currently has 376 notes!

But interesting side note… both were posted on the same day, “Count your blessings…” was 1st and “I am worthy, deserving…” was 2nd!!!

…YOU, ME, WE never know when people are listening and what they need to hear! Relating back to the title of this post… “We are a Resource.”

Here is a snap-shot of The Campaign Pinterest Board:

The “What Is Beauty? Campaign” Pinterest Board is a community of Pinners that joined and continuously share their thoughts on beauty, strength and inspiration through quotes, posts and photography!

These 2 platforms expanded my thoughts on beauty and how it is perceived… Sometimes we don’t know how sensitive something is until we no longer just think about it but begin to discuss it…

With that said…

I thought about answering the questions below but realized… they would be best pondered/thought about/marked up/answered…by and for yourself…

Maybe one random GYC Moment of Reminiscing…I’ll post on Facebook my thoughts?!?...Which means if you have yet to like the Fan Page…well… www.facebook.com/gyc.girlyoucrazy

Please and Thank You!!!

Think On/Answer these questions for yourself…

Why does self-esteem relate to beauty?

How does confidence relate to beauty?

Can you relate strength to beauty?

"Be, Love, and Accept… YOURSELF; Then YOU won’t have to question your beauty because you will see it everyday!"

I'm almost done...

An open letter to Beauty (journal/GYC style, which means grammar and punctuation are on an anything-goes format…)…

Dear Beauty,

So often we search for you in places that have nothing to do with our truth. We look for it in acceptance, approval, appearances, and irrelevant surfaces…but one day we will all genuinely proclaim the truth that is you. The recognition that you, Beauty are in my self-esteem, you can see it in my confidence, and reflected in my strength… Sometimes we think that you are so distant from us because the world has created a marred perspective of you but if we ever took the time to look in the mirror through our heart, we would see the truth…which is, your importance was never an outer appearance but a strength that will always live within… I consider YOU a Vision from the Stem!

I’ll leave you with this question as YOU, Me, We encourage others and ourselves daily (also answered by Rachel Franco during her interview):

Do you think sometimes we as women find a temporary confidence in compliments, and what are your thoughts on building a confidence that doesn't rely/need compliments?

Also…feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!

“We all are the definition of beauty…understand and represent your definition daily!”-Daily Truth Reminder

“Because I know my self-worth, I will celebrate daily ALL of who I am and let go of what I am not…Standing TALL, STRONG And CONFIDENT in every situation.”-My Beauty Declaration

THANK YOU!!!

Checkout the What Is Beauty? Campaign Links & Features:

Official Campaign Page

Promotional Campaign Video

Campaign Tumblr

Campaign Pinterest Board

For Women to Women

Beauty School ScArlet

Gia’s Beauty Talk Live

When a Stranger Lingers... Conclusion: Please Excuse the Strangers (I’m getting my life together)

Please Excuse the Strangers

It’s like Moving Day or

Season

In my life…

They’re moving out

I’m moving in

And fully taking

Residence

Self- inventory,

Reality check,

YES

YES

I am ONLY

Accepting the truth of…

ME

Strong, Bold, Confident

YES

YES

YES

No longer settling

For foolishness

I’m done being a fool

Relating to funky attitudes

that

No longer serve

A profitable purpose

…You’re excused

Now enter the room of

NEW

Welcome!

Here are a few ground rules:

No More Strangers Lingering

I know what is here

So don’t try to hide behind

Memory

I’m focused on

Meaning

I decided that I will not be keeping my enemies close to me…

+That’s STUPID and welcomes paranoia!

Bad company corrupts me.

+I’m done being funky

Abusing myself with self,

Well…

I’ve recognized my worth

Found out that I am designed

PRICELESS

Therefore,

I will act as such

So please excuse the strangers

No more of them lingering

I separated what actually belongs to me…

In this moment

You’ll see old and new things

Properly in place

With some type of explanation

That only I need to understand

Some things have meaning beyond memory

And

Some things are not as important as their meaning

I’ve recognized

We’ve been given feelings to feel

Not to be used as a guide

But a tool of indication,

When to let go and when to hold on

So if you look around…

You’ll see,

I’m moving forward,

Accordingly

It took strength to say

I am NO Longer holding on to dead weight

Being stuck with whose stuck

And satisfied in that place

If I wanted change and to keep growing

Find my pride pushed to the side

And a mirror constantly in my face

If you want change Girl…

Start with YOU and Your world

Do you know the people that you call friend,

Including yourself?

Are the memories you’re holding on to…

Hindering you from possessing your present?

Have you looked around the room

And actually noticed...

Change?

Well…

When a stranger lingers

It leaves things undefined

And your open mind

A little more open

Beyond focus and purpose

Questioning worth and

Searching through these opinions

For truth

But finding a questionable you

“How have I let this go on for so long???”

Well, here is your moment

It’s moving season

So

Please excuse the strangers

We no longer need them

I’m getting my life together

And PURPOSE is FOREVER

THE PRIORITY.

I’m done giving permission to what doesn’t belong to me.